The End! THANK YOU! Now, What's Next?
about 2 years ago – Sat, Mar 26, 2022 at 05:46:59 AM

Hey everyone!

The Kickstarter is now over, and we're blown away by how successful it's been!

Thank You!

Thank you all so much for your support. It's so exciting that over 6,000 people backed to get a copy of the gorgeous box sets we're cooking up. We're especially excited by how many of you are new to Old-School Essentials!

Stretch Goals

Due to the fantastic number of people backing this project, we've unlocked lots of great extras for everyone:

•  Carcass Crawler issue #3: A free zine issue (in print + PDF) featuring new classes, equipment, monsters and referee advice. (Check out the full table of contents here.)
•  Gold foil on the box sets: Both box sets will be enhanced with fancy gold foil details!
•  8 mini-adventure PDFs: Written by a team of fantastic authors (Chance Dudinack, Dan Wilson + Sarah Brunt, Brian Yaksha, Diogo Nogueira, Brad Kerr, Giuseppe Rotondo, Glynn Seal, Nate Treme), each of these adventures should provide 1-2 sessions of old-school action.

What About the Dice?

Sadly we didn't reach the $800K stretch goal for the Old-School Essentials dice sets. We're going to work with the manufacturer on the possibility of making the dice sets available as an add-on for those who'd like to order a copy. We'll keep you posted on that in a future update.

Next Steps: Pledge Manager and Add-Ons

A few weeks from now, we'll be sending out email links to the pledge manager (BackerKit) where you'll be able to do a few things:

• Select any add-ons that take your fancy, including a range of fantastic T-shirts, a black light art print, adventures, previous Old-School Essentials products, etc (see this update for info on some of the add-ons that will be available). 
• Let us know the postal address you want your rewards sent to.
• Pay the associated shipping fees.

Next Steps: PDFs

Also a few weeks from now, we'll start sending out DriveThruRPG PDF download codes for the books in the box sets. Other PDFs (e.g. the stretch goal extras) will be sent out at a later date, once they're ready.

When and How?

We'll be announcing more details on PDF fulfilment and the pledge manager in updates soon. We're sure there are lots of questions about how exactly this is all going to work, but please hold tight until the announcements, where we'll provide full details.

All For Now

Thank you all once again for making this Kickstarter such an amazing success! We'll be in touch soon with updates about what's next.

Everyone at Necrotic Gnome + Exalted Funeral

Fortress of the Worm Unlocked! Advanced Magic and Treasures Cover Art!
about 2 years ago – Sun, Mar 20, 2022 at 05:29:50 PM

Hey everyone,

With one week left on the campaign, we are now officially entering the final stretch! According to projections, we're just about on target to pass $800,000, so it's looking hopeful that we'll unlock the free dice for all backers! Please share the Kickstarter with your gaming friends to help us get there!

Here's everything that backers at the Classic + Advanced pledge tier will get if we pass the $800,000 mark.

Mini-Adventure #8: Fortress of the Worm Unlocked

We're very excited to have now passed $675,000, which means that we've unlocked the eighth new mini-adventure! This one is being written by Nate Treme of Highland Paranormal Society. About the adventure: Explore an ancient stolen gnomish fortress full of forbidden magicks, legendary treasure, salamander cultists, vengeful gnomes, a grease dragon, and probably certain death!

Advanced Magic and Treasures Cover Art

You may remember that back at the beginning of the campaign we had a note that we were expecting the last 2 pieces of cover art shortly. Well, we're delighted to be able to reveal them now! Behold David Hoskins' fantastic / grisly / wondrous art for the Magic and Treasures books in the Advanced Expansion Set!

All For Now

Necrotic Gnome & Exalted Funeral

Curse of the Maggot God Unlocked! Black Light Art Print + T-Shirt Add-Ons!
about 2 years ago – Sat, Mar 12, 2022 at 04:54:59 AM

Hey everyone,

You know we mentioned in previous updates that we have some more special add-ons to announce? Well today's the day! How add-ons work: Following the campaign we'll send out links to the pledge manager (BackerKit), where you'll be able to select any extras that you want to add on to your pledge (for example, any of the products highlighted in this post).

For a summary of the pricing of all add-ons, check out the Add-Ons section of the campaign text, which we've now updated to include prices for everything.

Mini-Adventure #7: Curse of the Maggot God Unlocked

First up though, as you may have noticed, we've passed $650,000, which means that we've unlocked the seventh new mini-adventure! This one is being written by Glynn Seal of Monkey Blood Design. About the adventure: Investigating a tunnel collapse in the sewers after a deluge, the Guild of Sewermen have lost a worker, but their fear of the Sewer Plague stops their search for him. Can the PCs find him, and uncover the source of the Sewer Plague in the rediscovered chambers beneath a long-demolished villa?

Black Light Art Print Add-On

We're super excited to announce that we'll be printing the fantastic Enchanter art by David Hoskins on a screen-printed black light art print! Perfect for your voyages into the weird depths of the astral plane.

This Enchanter Black Light Print is being produced by The Head Light screen printing shop. The Head Light, owned and run by Cheryl Kaminsky and Paul Lyons, has been producing screen printed concert posters and artist prints since 2010. Originally established in Rhode Island, the shop relocated to Glens Falls NY in 2022.

These art prints are 18" x 24", silk screen printed on 100# Domtar Cougar cover weight paper. They are individually handmade using specialty pigments that are blacklight reactive. One color is printed at a time with dry time in between before applying the next color.  The screen-printing process adds an artisanal quality, making these art prints a unique addition to your gaming space.  See the process here.  

Backers will be able to add on the Enchanter Black Light Art Print in BackerKit at the special reduced price of $40 (retail price $50)!

Carcass Crawler Add-Ons

Issues 1 to 3 of Carcass Crawler, the official Old-School Essentials zine, will also be available as add-ons, in addition to lots of other books in the Old-School Essentials line. (Early bird backers get a free copy of issue #2 and all backers get a free copy of issue #3, but you'll be able to add on extras of those in case you want to.)

Backers will be able to add on issues of Carcass Crawler in BackerKit at the special reduced price of $8 (retail price $10)! For add-on pricing of adventures and other books, check out the Add-Ons section of the campaign text, which we've now updated to include prices for everything.

T-Shirt Add-Ons

We'll also have a range of Old-School Essentials T-shirts available, featuring all of the artwork from the boxes and the books! Check out all the fantastic designs available, with art by Erol Otus, Peter Mullen, and David Hoskins.

Backers will be able to add on any of these T-shirts in BackerKit at the special reduced price of $25 (retail price $30)!

All For Now

Necrotic Gnome & Exalted Funeral

Old-School Essentials Adventures and Referee's Screen
about 2 years ago – Thu, Mar 10, 2022 at 07:03:40 PM

Hey everyone,

We wanted to share some more details today about all of the extra items that are included in the Ultimate Dungeon Bundle pledge, which will also be available as add-ons for all pledge tiers.

Mini-Adventure #6: The Jeweler's Sanctum Unlocked

First up though, as you may have noticed, we've passed $625,000, which means that we've unlocked the sixth new mini-adventure! This one is being written by Giuseppe Rotondo, creator of the fantastic Axian Library.  About the adventure: The secret workshop of a long dead jeweler magician is now open, as his grandson wants the place finally cleared of all dangers. What treasures might the jeweler have left behind?

We're also approaching $650,000 and the next mini-adventure, Curse of the Maggot God by Glynn Seal.

The Deluxe Referee's Screen

MSRP $22, 10% discount to backers (add-on price $19.80)

This deluxe 3-panel screen provides a quick reference to the most common rules and procedures needed to run Old-School Essentials games:

• Master attack matrix.
• Saving throw tables for monsters and all Classic Fantasy character classes.
• Combat rules summary.
• Procedures for encounters, dungeon adventures, and wilderness adventures.
• Summary of options available during downtime between adventures.
• Tables for thief skills and turning the undead.
• Weapon combat stats, armour types, and rules for common adventuring gear.
• Master movement rate table, listing base, encounter, and overland movement rates.
• Dimensions: 840mm wide × 217mm high × 3mm thick. (33" wide × 8.5" high × 0.1" thick.)

The front of the screen is graced by a fantastic, three-panel dungeon diorama painting by the legendary Peter Mullen!

The Hole in the Oak by Gavin Norman—Level 1-2 Adventure

MSRP $15, 10% discount to backers (add-on price $13.50)

A hole in an old oak tree leads characters down to a maze of twisting, root-riddled passageways, the chambers of an ancient wizard-complex, and the banks of an underground river where once a reptile cult built their temples.

A classic expedition into the Mythic Underworld for characters of 1st to 2nd level. A 40-page hardcover with 60 keyed areas, rumour table, loot summary, dungeon background info, and suggestions for expanding the dungeon. Illustrated by James V West. The Hole in the Oak can be linked with The Incandescent Grottoes to form a large, 3 level dungeon with over 115 keyed encounter areas!

Reviews and accolades:

• "The Best" award at Ten Foot Pole. Read the review here. "...this is a great adventure. A little fanciful, with Sheep-people walking upright in their tweeds, and talking trogs named Old Gregg, Nancy Fingers, and Tomfool right out of The Hobbit."

Note: the video review shows an older, softcover edition of The Hole in the Oak. The current, hardcover edition will be available to backers.

The Incandescent Grottoes by Gavin Norman—Level 1-2 Adventure

MSRP $15, 10% discount to backers (add-on price $13.50)

A bubbling stream cascades into a hole in the earth, leading to a series of underground watercourses and scintillating grottoes. Adventurers who delve within may discover odd mosses and fungi, a ruined temple complex, and the lair of a crystal-eating dream dragon.

A classic expedition into the Mythic Underworld for characters of 1st to 2nd level. A 48-page hardcover with 57 keyed areas, rumour table, loot summary, dungeon background info, and suggestions for expanding the dungeon. Illustrated by Nate Treme. The Incandescent Grottoes can be linked with The Hole in the Oak to form a large, 3 level dungeon with over 115 keyed encounter areas!

Reviews and accolades:

• "The Best" award at Ten Foot Pole. Read the review here. "THIS is what I want the baseline of our hobby to be. The fucking formatting and ease of use issues are essentially taken care of. The writing is evocative enough to be good. This then allows for concentration on the interactivity, the plot and that most elusive of all things, THE DESIGN."

Halls of the Blood King by Diogo Nogueira—Level 3-5 Adventure

MSRP $15, 10% discount to backers (add-on price $13.50)

With the rising of the Blood Moon, the accursed abode of the Blood King returns to this world. The lord of all vampires comes to claim the blood that is owed to him. His halls contain treasures and secrets that would make any ambitious adventurer abandon reason and caution to seek them out. Will you risk your soul for gold and glory in the Halls of the Blood King?

A fantasy horror adventure for characters of 3rd to 5th level. A 48-page hardcover with 37 keyed areas, rumour table, loot summary, and dungeon background info. Illustrated by Justine Jones.

Reviews and accolades:

• Winner of two 2021 ENNIE awards! (Best Adventure and Best Cartography.)
• "The Best" award at Ten Foot Pole. Read the review here. "...a forty page manor home of an interdimensional vampire king. Good formatting, stuff to do, and some decent imagery lead to mountains of fun for every blood bag that dares enter!"

The Isle of the Plangent Mage by Donn Stroud—Level 3-5 Adventure

MSRP $15, 10% discount to backers (add-on price $13.50)

An idyllic cove harbours deep secrets. Magic and sound are entwined harmoniously, while dark things lurking in the depths rise to explore new avenues through previously locked portals. Adventurers will be changed as they explore the depths of the Undertower, unlock strange musical puzzles, and reveal the glorious treasures of the Isle of the Plangent Mage.

A fantasy adventure of sonic wonder for characters of 3rd to 5th level. A 48-page hardcover with 64 keyed areas, village description and NPCs, rumour table, loot summary, and dungeon background info. Illustrated by David Hoskins.

Reviews and accolades:

•  Review at THAC0 Blog. "The art is brilliant and colorful, it brings the setting to life. This is also a bit of a unique setting. There is a lovely nautical feel throughout the entire book. If you are looking for a classic sandbox that is not a typical dungeon, then you have found it. I think this is a great example of a sandbox adventure."
•  Review at Bones of Contention. "...a mysterious location full of arcane oddities and wonders connected to sound, mutation, and the sea. There were many moments of wonder intermingled with horror in our sessions."

Holy Mountain Shaker by Luka Rejec—Level 5-6 Adventure

MSRP $15, 10% discount to backers (add-on price $13.50)

Thunder and quake have come to the old town. Towers crumble, homes tumble, the quick become the dead. What omen could be more obvious? The Pharaoh Fish under the mountain is displeased. This God must be propitiated. Brave heroes must venture to buy the city's salvation. At the very least, the Town Council needs to appear in control and send some 'expert adventurers' into the depths.

A fantasy pointcrawl adventure for characters of 5th to 6th level. A 48-page hardcover with a local town, pointcrawl mechanics for OSE, 17 pointcrawl regions, and a dungeon inside the Pharaoh Fish. Illustrated by Luka Rejec.

Reviews and accolades:

•  Review at Bones of Contention. "...locations like the Temple of Protein and the Buried City hint at a rich history and now-vanished scientific advances beneath the fairy-tale exterior. As a player, I love uncovering bits of mystery about the world through play."

Winter's Daughter by Gavin Norman—Level 1-2 Adventure

MSRP $15, 10% discount to backers (add-on price $13.50)

The tomb of an ancient hero, lost in the tangled depths of the woods. A ring of standing stones, guarded by the sinister Drune cult. A fairy princess who watches with ageless patience from beyond the veil of the mortal. A forgotten treasure that holds the key to her heart.

A romantic fairy tale dungeon adventure for characters of 1st to 2nd level. A 24-page hardcover adventure encompassing woodland, tomb, and fairy otherworld! Illustrated by Mish Scott. Winter's Daughter is a perfect introductory adventure to Necrotic Gnome's Dolmenwood setting — coming soon!

Reviews and accolades:

• Nominated for two 2019 ENNIE awards! (Best Adventure and Best Cover Art.)
• "The Best" award at Ten Foot Pole. Read the review here. "Gilded mirrors, and owls with violet eyes. Elven knights, ice wines, and foppish nobility. A troll in hessian garb that is of the “moss” variety rather than the carrot nose variety. This has that airy vibe that a good fey adventure does."

Note: the video review shows an older edition of Winter's Daughter with B&W interior art. The current edition with colour art will be available to backers.

Ultimate Dungeon Bundle

If all of these adventures and the screen sound interesting, you might want to consider jumping into the Ultimate Dungeon Bundle pledge tier, which gets you both box sets (the Classic Game Set + the Advanced Expansion Set), the referee's screen, and the 6 adventures (all in hardcover) for $200. That's a discount of $52 off the retail price of the bundle.

A Bit About the Old-School Essentials Dice

There have been quite a few comments about the mockups of the Old-School Essentials dice (the $800,000 stretch goal) that we shared in the previous update. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts! Please understand though that we can't take everyone's feedback into account and we don't plan to alter the announced dice design. Aesthetic opinions on things like dice and art are super subjective, so it's unfortunately not possible to create something that will suit everyone's taste.

However, we did want to quickly note that, rather than mimicking the style of the dice found in the old 1980s box sets, the intention of the design was to conjure up a necrotic (like Necrotic Gnome) underworld feeling of creepy catacombs and forgotten crypts. The glow-in-the-dark (if we hopefully unlock that!) will further emphasise this subterranean element. The OSE letters on the d6s are just a bit of fun really, as we wanted to create something a bit different, figuring that most people already have standard dice.

We hope that explains the idea behind the dice a bit more!

More Add-Ons To Be Announced Soon!

As you probably know, following the campaign we'll send out links to the pledge manager (BackerKit), where you'll be able to select any extras that you want to add on to your pledge (for example, any of the products highlighted above). In addition to the Erol Otus T-shirt, we'll be revealing some awesome additional items very soon, including more T-shirt designs and an amazing black light poster!

All For Now

Necrotic Gnome & Exalted Funeral

The Sunbathers Unlocked! Fortress of the Worm! Dice Mockups!
about 2 years ago – Wed, Mar 02, 2022 at 10:09:14 PM

Hey everyone,

We've got some exciting news (and images!) to share today, including more info on a couple of things that we mentioned in the last update. Let's jump in!

Mini-Adventure #5: The Sunbathers Unlocked

First up, as you may have noticed, we've passed $600,000, which means that we've unlocked the fifth new mini-adventure! This one is being written by Brad Kerr, author of the acclaimed adventures Hideous Daylight and Temple of 1000 Swords. About the adventure: In a sundrenched Old World island, a beach of blissful amnesiacs are held prisoner by monstrous caretakers from a golden temple of healing.

Mini-Adventure #8: Fortress of the Worm

We've got all the info in from the author on this one now and are delighted to reveal that it will be named Fortress of the Worm and will be written by the fabulous Nate Treme of Highland Paranormal Society. About the adventure: Explore an ancient stolen gnomish fortress full of forbidden magicks, legendary treasure, salamander cultists, vengeful gnomes, a grease dragon, and probably certain death!

This adventure will be unlocked if we reach $675,000, making a grand total of 8 new mini-adventures!

Dice Mockups!

And now the promised images... We're super excited to share these renders that Q-Workshop just sent over to us, showing how the Old-School Essentials dice set will look (unlocked if we reach $800,000) — and how they'll look if we unlock the glow-in-the-dark upgrade ($850,000)! Do not enter the Mythic Underworld without a set!

Massive thanks to Justin Sirois for the fantastic dice design! Justin owns Severed Books and has been publishing fiction and games since 2012. Projects include Caver & Cube, Massive Gelatinous, Sickest Witch, the Party Backstory Generator, and more. He loves pupusas and can't wait to drink a beer or non-alcoholic beverage with you.

All For Now

Necrotic Gnome & Exalted Funeral